The Fallow Field?

Hosea 10:12 says,

'Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.'

The image of fallow ground has been on my mind for a while - on and off for over a year as it happens but as I am considering new fields now, it seems more pertinent again. 

What new fields? Well, this Friday was the last day of my first year at ESSL and as one chapter of life comes to an end, a new chapter begins and with it, a considering of 'fields'.

Before life's upheavals at church just over a year ago, I know I would never have gone to the School otherwise. For me, there would have been no need to (more about that, maybe, another day). Suffice to say for now that life adventuring with God then felt utterly exhilarating. However, the later, sad circumstances left me feeling rather like Wile E. Cyote as he screeches to a halt after chasing the Road Runner off the edge of a canyon, only to find himself coming to a stop in mid air before plunging, flatly and painfully, into the ground below! So, to cut a story short, I ended up at School in Kent, and letting the 'field' back home turn fallow. It seemed what God was leading me to do - though He had to boot me off several areas of that 'field' and prize my fingers off the tools. Hard stuff!

Meanwhile, alongside this gentle, rough stuff, School started! WOW!
Oh there are so many things to say about School, from the truly amazing people I met there to all the things that we did, lessons we learned and experiences we went through. At times, I felt a bit like a rabbit in the headlights. The first weeks - and occasionally thereafter, I felt tearful a lot of the time but didn't really know why. On reflection, I think it was a mix of being scared and feeling out of my comfort zone, being touched by the yearning love of God for me and my wanting more, more MORE of knowing God myself. Other times, I saw myself as a little waif, stood outside a beautiful home, in the snow with my nose pressed up to the glass looking in at the warmth and family ( I have this image from an old childhood story book of Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl') as I sought to understand things I was seeing and hearing but then accepting the invitation in and pushing my feet over the threshhold of belonging. Yet other times were ones of peace-filled excitement of being amongst a big family who lived, longed for and chased after God with me in ways we each understood and accepted. Other times were just breath-taking with being in awe of each other and God, sharing our lessons and adventures of faith. I will admit that, to me, some times were apparently nutcase. I am admitting absolutely nothing about a rubber chicken, roaring lion or floors littered with bodies! However, I will gladly put my hand up as being part of the reason Gravesend was set on fire on Fridays.

Here we are from a pic of our last day...intrepid adventurers all

I am leaving this BIG as you are better able to see us. I look a bit strange in stance as I was crouching a bit :D

Worship times at the beginning of each School day were so special. Some days, I was thrilled to watch the freedom in others worshipping around me; some times I spent simply lying down, eyes shut and letting the intimate presence of God with ME be my sole joy. Occasionally, I whooped out and danced about myself. Even the realisation that I need to get fitter to enjoy that more didn't spoil the moments of free expression and risk. Creative worship and communion times added wonders of discovery, stretching the boundaries of our encounters in meeting with God as our loving Father. I look forward with anticipation to recreating some of those times in various ways - not just for myself but for others also.
I would really need a book rather than a blog post to get through everything I have to say but doubtless, more mentions will be made of School exploits and outcomes over the coming months.

One significant realisation I have come to in all this time is that, when the life we live, believing it is God's 'Plan A' for us, is disturbed or even seems destroyed, God doesn't replace it with 'Plan B'. He writes us a whole new and exciting 'Plan A' and has so much contained within this plan that it is, it seems to me, as if it was always meant to be. In any case, God's Plan A always puts a smile on His face as He anticipates the smile it will eventually put on ours.

As for the new fields and the relevance to the verse from Hosea at the beginning, watch this space...

Use the space!

I was lying in bed last Wednesday night. It's the night before having to set off for school at North Kent Community Church - now renamed Eastgate - so hubs sleeps in another room so that I don't disturb him when I get up at 4.45am and stumble around getting ready to journey off to Gravesend!

As I lay there in the darkness, thinking about life and stuff, I got chatting to God and said to Him, 'Sometimes, I feel You're not with me at all!'
In His still-small-voice-in-my-spirit way, I heard Him reply,

'Do you ever wonder if I feel the same about you?'

He waits

My eyes snapped open. I lay there and thought about the answer. 

Whilst I felt no condemnation in the question, I did feel a sadness - for both of us; my Daddy and me. Sometimes, he misses me. He LONGS to feel me close to Him. I read my bible and some great christian books. I listen to worship. I do all sorts of christian things. But they are not the same, nor as satisfying for either of us as just being with one another and enjoying 'wasting time' together, chilling, chatting, or just silent together.

'You're right,' I whispered, as I spread my arms wide on the bed in a gesture of adoration and embrace...then...whoops! 

On my left, my outstretched arm met with hubs' empty bed space whilst my right arm flopped over the bedside. I realised suddenly, with a smile, that there I was, a whole king-sized bed to myself, and I was lying in my usual position - right on the edge, leaving no support at all for my open arm! I have this massive bed all to myself but still confine myself to the space I am used to! And I have a massive life too with space-a-plenty!

It made me think about Jesus' promise, 

 'I have come that they may have life 

and have it to the full'

It's so easy to get into a pattern of daily life and carry on in the same way, day after day without realising that actually, there is a whole 'empty space' of that life that we just aren't taking advantage of. I can certainly be happy and thankful with all that I have; all that God has given me but He is itching to give me more in every way. All I have to do is seek, ask, knock. not to settle for plain contentment. Enjoy every blessing that I can. As a parent, I don't wrap gifts for my children to sit on the sideboard. I want them opened to be enjoyed; opened to thrill; opened to expand their lives. How much more does my Heavenly Daddy long for me to discover His gifts, gleefully anticipating their effects and enrichments on my life?

There is 'space' to be used and I intend to start rolling over into it...unless it's night-time...and the night isn't Wednesday!

The journey is worth the destination

Some fields are a darned sight more deceiving than others and when you first consider committing to one that looks good, you just never know what the ground will turn up!

I remember several years ago following our home extension, I decided the time had come to sort out the garden. It needed digging over so I could plant vegetables so I started with bulging enthusiasm. Some weeks, three skips of rubble and a hefty stock of paracetamol and radox bathsalts later, I had level ground and soil that no longer ressembled the remains of a Time Team dig!!! The wretched ground looked SO much easier than it turned out to be but it transpired that the builders hadn't put as much rubble in the skips that they should have. They just covered a lot up with soil! I'm sure the back garden was lowered by several feet by the time I had finished clearing. Had I known how much stuff I would turn up, I could have constructed an outbuilding!

So what is my point?

I guess it's just looking at life and the stuff it throws up at you.

There is a saying...

' IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH, TELL HIM YOUR PLANS!'

And isn't that the way life turns out! I can look back on times of life when all seemed wonderful and the future seemed generally set, with room for a few outside-the-box adventures on the way but generally, all quite secure and manageable, mainly predictable. Then God laughed!

It puts me in mind of a lovely poem...

THE WEAVER 

My life is but a weaving between the Lord and me

I may not choose the colours - He knows what they should be

Oft' times He weaves in sorrow; and I, in foolish pride, 

Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas and reveal the reason why

The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him

I know the pictures are of embroidery rather than weaving but it gives a good illustration of the same idea. On the back, the underside - the side of my life that I see whilst God is busy weaving, it can look somewhat untidy as threads cross or are knotted. There is a vague sense that something is being formed and created but, apart from an occasional area that is recognisable as what it is meant to be, it often seems chaotic, messy, tangled and even unnecessary. But then, when it is turned over, to the Creator's side, the embroiderer, the weaver has made something beautiful and complete; precisely placed; intricate in places but perfectly designed. 

In actual large tapestries, only a small portion can be worked on at a time and as each part is completed, the tapestry is wound onto a beam, out of sight so that the weaver can work on the next section. What is already done may not be seen again until the very end, when all is unrolled, revealing a gloriously breath-taking finished piece.

For sure, many parts of life's journey so far are not what I would have chosen for myself. Some are like starting to pick a large stone out of the ground but finding oneself lugging a dirty great boulder out of the way, straining a muscle or two on the path; some bits give a hint of toughness at first but end up feeling like you have unintentionally poked a sewing needle right down behind your fingernail and suffering the ensuing pain of infection and drainings of pus. But there will be punctuations of enjoying the taste of home-grown, lovingly cared-for garden produce or proudly showing off the seemingly effortless beauty of a finished project from your craft space. Such wildly differing textures of life - borne or savoured - ultimately playing their role in making me the person that I am and forming me into the person God sees and delights in, every step of the way. I hope I haven't made the job too difficult for Him on the journey!

Team time

Ahhhhhh - why am I starting this now? 

I am watching my first episode of NCIS in a loooooooong time. I LOVE it. Mark Harmon should smile more often - he looks so GOOD! ...though he is also a very handsome 'smoulderer'!....anyway, less drooling.

I do love watching these programmes...NCIS, CSI series - though not particularly Miami...I get dizzy at the number of times Horatio moves his sunglasses on and off and swings his head so dramatically to the side. It's a wonder he doesn't get nose burn and neck crick!! Hubs once got annoyed and asked why I watched so many of these progs. I said it was to see if I could find a foolproof way of murdering him - not getting caught. He was not amused at the time! But of course, I jest. I would always choose him even over Mark Harmon!

Abby, Tony, Tim, Gibbs, Ziva, Jimmy, Leon and Duckie

I realise the other reason I love these series is because of the interaction and relationships in the 'team' formed by the main characters. 

It is a team with common purpose, each member fully committed. 

Each member is so different They have their own particular strengths and weaknesses that are recognised and supported by other team members. 

They go through times of great triumph, reached by understanding one another, working together with generally good communication and commitment, utilising their skills and accepting or working with one another's shortcomings if necessary.

They have times of distress and failure, disagreement and rebellion but because of their commitment to the team purpose, they are also committed to seeing one another through all kinds of disturbance to the team spirit. They don't accept compromise and hold one another up to high standards of integrity and trust.

Within this working team environment, they solve problems, bring resolution to disaster and save the world...or...hold on...  

...Just shoot the computer because you don't know the process to deactivate the system-linked booby trap!!!!! 

GOOD OL' GIBBS! 
Sometimes the unexpected is the answer. 
(I love that character!)



SO - what's the point? 
Currently, I am thinking through some life stuff and asking God what He holds for me/us in the future.  For some time I have been aware that I have not yet answered the next question - number 4 in the list on my blogpost of 30th December last year  - 

'Which relationships, personal and professional, will you focus on improving?' 

There are some reasons for not answering this fully yet which I will write about another day but I was prompted to start thinking about the question again by seeing this quote today...

...and then by watching NCIS this evening.
I still don't fully know the answer to the question but I know I have some parameters and some ideas forming.

It won't fully depend on where we are based. I have some treasured people in my life who live or will be living outside our city but who will always be important to me, who spur me on, energise and inspire me, and who I love to be around.   

I definitely want to count people in those relationships that have the same heart for life as I do; who want me to adventure along with them - whether in life or faith; who are committed to fullness in relationship, willing to encourage in easy times and who will not shy away from the hard stuff in tough times; laugh and cry with me and who want to change the world not only right where we are but in other ways.

Not only do I want to be following people who are where I want to be but I also want to BE that person that others want to follow.

On a spiritual note, Georgian Banov wrote this inspiring article with the comment that 'Joseph was not affected by the oppressive spiritual atmospheres around him...he was too busy changing them!'

Let's go change!

This is the Life!

WOAAHHhhhhhhhh!

I have just watched a TV programme called The Billion Dollar Hotel 

It was a documentary about the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai

It is absolutely THE most opulent hotel I have ever seen in my life - have a look here and make sure you enjoy a good browse of all that's available.

If my Kids are reading this and are quick, they could treat me to a Mother's Day Ultimate Afternoon Tea for just over £102!...though I think I would ask for the cappuccino with the sprinkling of gold dust rather than tea. Oh and another £900 if I stay the night - or splash out on a suite on the top floor for £10,000...just the one night though...oh, come on, Kids - I am worth it! You know I am. 

The thing that impressed me most though? 

It wasn't the abundance of gold and luxurious fabrics adorning every room; definitely not the artistic flying header of Rooney's that Hubs has just made me watch on the footie replay (poor man doesn't yet know that ManU lost in this semi final against the hated Arsenal!!); not the multitudinous options of luxury goods available in the hotel boutiques, all thoughtfully sourced by a wonderful concierge; nor the breathtaking aquarium prominently placed and displaying outstanding sea-life. This latter has been lovingly tended these last 13 years by an hefty but gentle expert who looks like he would be more at home in a leotard, circling a wrestling ring.

Nope. None of these. What impressed me most was the people. 

What the site blurb claims is that,

'Whatever 

you need, 

we'll go above 

and beyond 

to ensure 

your time 

with us 

is nothing 

short of 

extraordinary.'

It was true. EVERY member of staff bent over backwards to make the guests' stay the very best experience possible - from Kings and Queens who had endless financial resources to a guy working in Afghanistan who had arranged the trip of a lifetime to propose to his now-fiancee. Guests were served with grace, kindness and honour. Nothing was too much trouble. The best thing about this service was that the staff interviewed, enjoyed this aspect of their job and gave of their best at all times. I thought to myself, 'I want a job there.' The pleasure of giving pleasure and looking after folk is such a great and fulfilling reward. 

(I think that's one of the aspects of nursing I enjoyed so much!)

But meanwhile, I caught myself in this thought. 

I don't have to be in a posh job or be a rich person to make people feel special. Part of my life's calling as a child of God is that I am the light of the world; I am the salt of the earth. I make a difference because I am me. As I say to my kids, 'No-one is in the place that you are, or says the things you do, to the person you speak to, in the way that you do.' In all this, I can seek to 'go above and beyond,' leaving someone's day changed.

No-one else is me. I am unique. What does bring great encouragement, is 'doing life' for God with a bunch of people who are like-minded. I am blessed beyond measure in my blood family and my faith family. Being spurred on, encouraged, comforted and challenged by folk who want to know more of God; to see His power in us, transforming our homes and communities in and through our lives. It's great to hear people around me talking about the healings they are seeing or want to see God do through them. It spurs me on to listen to testimonies of conversations they are having with 'random' folk, bringing them the realisation that God loves and cares for them. Just the other night, Hubs and I stopped to chat to a guy we might usually have passed by in the street but that prompting of the Spirit led us to start up a conversation that released the things of God and opened a door for us to pray with him for a personal situation. Who knows how God will be speaking to him and answering that prayer?

The great thing is that we can be bold out there in the world because it isn't down to us. As Bill Johnson preached this Sunday, 

"When we minister healing, salvation and deliverance to people, 

all we are doing is 'delivering a cheque that Somebody Else wrote' "

I love that. I love the journey. I love the people I journey with and their commitment to pursuing the things of God. I look forward to seeing the Son rise over Birmingham, or wherever I am and I expect it to be nothing short of extraordinary because He is writing the 'cheques'.

This IS the life!

Always get up again!

'Reading week' ...and I have a rest from travelling down to ESSL. 

A couple of days ago, in need of a break, I headed outside from my day of reading into the best sort of day, in my opinion - cloudless, azure-blue sky, glorious sunshine straining to be warm but with a crisp sharpness, daring to bid goodbye to Winter and beckoning a tentative welcome to Spring. I felt joyful to the point - I don't know if you have ever have these moments - of feeling like pretending to be in a musical, dancing along the street before bursting into song, and proclaiming that this is the best day to be alive and - was I not already married - expecting the love of my life to be waiting for me at the end of the road! (As it was, I'd left the love of my life earning a crust in front of his computer back at the house.) BUT meanwhile it was still a glorious day, especially after so many rainy days!

This is actually my local High Street

Buoyed by the afterglow of expectancy following the mission 10 days ago, I asked my spirit to be alert to any conversations or encounters Holy Spirit might want to send my way whilst I was out for my 'quick walk.'

Apart from a couple of friendly exchanges in shops and a chat with a friend, nothing really seemed to present itself. As I headed home, I noticed that the traffic flow had stopped as a man hobbled slowly across the road, his right hand protruding very limply and looking almost purple, from a linen sling. He almost dragged one of his legs behind him as he crossed the road. I suddenly wondered if this was someone God had sent my way to speak to and pray for. Could I pray for him and see his hand and leg restored to full strength? 

Walking on, I kept looking back to check he had reached the other side of the road, half wondering if I had gone too far to return to him and wrestled with my thoughts.....

...One dilemma I have is that Jesus healed those who CAME TO Him. Could I just walk up in the street, offer to help and pray without any sort of invite!?! ...

I stopped to watch what he would do next, seeing him peer into a shop window. I stood and wondered what to do. I stood asking myself questions I would have been better asking myself earlier, in preparation for something like this happening. Can I go up to him and offer to pray? Didn't Jesus wait to be asked? What if...?

In retrospect, I see how our minds, as intelligent as they may normally be, can talk us out of so much from an earthly stance...and by the time I looked up again, getting my nerve up and deciding, 'Have no fear!!!', he had disappeared.

I spent some of the walk home kicking myself and feeling I had let this guy down - and God too; God, because He got no extra glory and the guy because his limbs remained restricted. I played over in my mind the amazing outcome there could have been for that guy had I stepped aside from my fear of 'What if...?' and was reminded of the quote; 

'Stop telling God how big your problems are and tell your problems how big God is.'

So, going to bed that night, still brewing, I picked up one of the books I am currently reading, 'Unwrapping Lazarus', opening it up to where my 'bookmark' rested. I was about to set the bookmark aside but my eyes were drawn to it. It is one of my scripture memory cards. On it was written Psalm 25:3a - 
'Defeat does not come to those that trust in You'

I almost put it down but hovered with it awhile. Then, in 'one of those moments', I turned it over and read another verse... (I use both sides)

'I tell you the truth. Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do greater things than these because I go to the Father'

John 14:12

I held the card in my hand for a few moments, turned it back and back again; reading and re-reading; suddenly having a sense of angel faces straining in on me over my shoulder and willing me on. 

'Get it? Get it? GET IT YET???'

Yes. I got it and I smiled. (the angels sat back with a big sigh of relief and a bit of backslapping!) I was not defeated. My Father hadn't given up on me. When I am faithless, He remains faithful. My tank of Hope and Expectation was flushed full. I have prayed for the guy in the street and part of my prayer is that he will come by again on Saturday during our time out with the Healing on the Streets team.

Then just today, when asking someone's advice about some things I am questioning, I was encouraged by a verse they shared from John 5 and in particular verse 6.

Jesus is near a pool that is frequented by disabled people. He approaches one man who has been an invalid for 38 years and ASKS him, 'Do you want to get well?'

I must have read that so many times before and not registered what happens! (If I was God, I would be smacking my forehead with my palm at this point, but I know HE wouldn't - and it as well for mankind that I am NOT God!!)

On top of that, I was reminded (same someone) Jesus gave us the GO! His heart to bring the Kingdom of God to the world is BIG. He didn't choose the world's obvious choices of people to pass that message on. His team includes me! The best conversations to have about it are with Him. I'll enjoy that. So will He. But we'll enjoy having others in on the chat too. 

How deep is Your love?

I was on my way to bed.

Then I flicked the wrong button to turn off the TV, ended up changing the channel instead and landed in the film, 'The Invention of Lying' starring Ricky Gervais. I almost turned it straight off because I don't really like the stuff he has made since 'The Office' but my attention was caught by someone telling another person some awfully frank and hurtful 'truth' they thought about them! And I thought, 'How cruel!'

I won't go into the telling the story of the film - you can read it here - but it - and the rest of the film made me think about love and in particular, about God's love for me.

This scripture is a prayer - 

that I will KNOW this love that SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE! 

How can I KNOW something that surpasses knowledge? 

One insight I have is that, on my first day of training to be a midwife, back in 1981, our twelve-strong group had a tour around the labour ward. I watched a midwife monitoring a mother in labour - checking baby heartbeats; altering the drip-rate of the intravenous infusion that was hastening labour for this overdue baby; bleeping machines, tangled wires, overactive equipment, accurate instructions, groaning pain, sweaty anxiety - all seemed scarily overwhelming at the time. I thought I would NEVER, EVER be able to be on my own in a room with a situation like this and see a baby at the end - a live baby and the growing of a family! Day one was almost my last day! BUT, I stayed and of course, over the 18 months, with over 50 deliveries to my name, I qualified. I learned - slowly at times but surely and with help. I didn't do it on my own. I had instruction from those with knowledge; guidance from those with experience and sometimes, even their very hands literally on top of my own, guiding me in what I needed to do. The book and brain knowledge of practising midwifery that seemed impossible to contemplate in black and white, all fell into place when experiencing it in actual, live technicolour! 

'Ahh!' I realised. 'THAT's how it feels to...'well, you probably don't want to know but 'hands-on' makes the experience complete and suddenly, the jigsaw builds, the picture gets bigger and clearer as pieces fall into place. 

What seemed, at one time, to surpass MY knowledge - ever becoming a competent midwife - came within my grasp. As my understanding and experience increased - study and practical work - my knowledge increased - I knew better what to do, what to expect and who to ask if I didn't know.
Whilst I don't expect my knowledge of the love of Christ to be anywhere near complete this side of heaven, God opens paths and doors throughout the whole of my life to show more of that love to me.

One of the things I have been learning at ESSL is to appreciate and believe how much I am loved by my heavenly Father. He EXPECTS me to grow in the knowledge of His love for me. He WANTS me to. He goes out of His way to show it to me. What I have to do is to expect, want and receive everything He gives out - and then ask for more...which gives Him a chuckle, I am sure! I am His beloved. I am His joy and delight. He approves of me and accepts everything about me, just as I am. He will never love me more - or less - than at this very moment. He is deep, deep, deep in love with me. One reason His love surpasses knowledge is that, every time I think I know how much He loves me, He shows me more - through a new revelation in His word; through a beautiful sunset or a wonderful smell or taste; through music; through the company of friends and family or even through unexpected kindness of strangers (one reason each of us should try to give a stranger a hug every day!!)
This is the key to then go out into daily life and take that love with me - letting it make a difference in every situation I find myself in. My Father would find joy in seeing me go out of my way, out of my comfort zone and out of my inclination sometimes, if I am honest, to love others. But the thing He wants most, is that I know Him and His love for me because

everything else flows from that.

I will round up with an amazing story of a special touch of God from our mission trip that I talked about in my last post. 

Mike, from the church, myself and another guy who I didn't know and who was going through a hard time, went out on a treasure hunt one day (see my previous post if you don't know what one of those is) We had found no clues and got cold so decided to go to a coffee shop for a hot drink. As we chatted, it turned out that this guy's name was 'Jim'. Both Mike and I had this name on our lists!!! So I said, 'Jim' - it looks like YOU are our treasure!' As we chatted, it turned out that 'Jim' wasn't actually a christian but was indeed on a journey to wanting to know God. So we talked together for a while, with Mike and I sharing a couple of our own experiences of God and telling 'Jim' how special he was to God. He replied that he didn't feel like he was, nor did he feel he was at a point where he wanted to give his life to Jesus. He did, though, let Mike and I pray for him and we ended asking God to give 'Jim', that very day, a special blessing that would show him that God loved him. 

We finished up our drinks and headed back out into the street. 'Jim' popped over to the cashpoint as Mike and I waited some yards back. 

As 'Jim' was returning, he was stopped in his tracks by a stranger who we heard ask 'Jim', "Are you a 'Smiley'?" Mike and I looked at one another and wondered what this was. I confess to wondering if it was trouble? 

Well, it turned out, 'Jim's' surname was 'Smiley' and this guy was a cousin of 'Jim's', that he had never met - nor knew existed - who recognised 'Jim' as possibly one of the family simply from his facial features!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

The guys chatted a while and exchanged phone numbers and the cousin went off on his way! 'Jim' came across to us shaking his head in disbelief and muttering the same! 'JIM!', we said, doesn't that just show you how amazing God is? What are the odds of that happening at this very moment and in this very place?? How mind-boggling is our God?! Mind-boggling enough to love us out of our minds, is how! 

So be encouraged. Be on the lookout. God is out to love you

....and who knows who He will use to do it! 

As this song says, 

HE LOVES US

Mission: LOVE

I have been back from our mission trip to a church in a town down south for 24 hours now and have spent a very lazy day - apart from getting some shopping in. Hubs indulged in Supernoodles and sausage, I think, whilst I was away with a bowl of cereal thrown in last evening - this latter is our usual fallback.

SO! As promised, a bit of a report as to how it all went.

I think everything that took place over the time could be summed up in the picture here to the left - a shower of love all over the town!

Our 10-strong team stayed for four days, each lodging in one of the church family's homes, which would have been worth going for alone, such was the each-way blessing of my own stay with one of my team in the home of a wonderful family.

Our mission time was spent:-

- Opening and being present in the new church cafe

- Treasure Hunting on the local streets

- Free hugging outside the church

- Just asking God to open up any sort of conversation around where we were 

- Giving prophetic words to members of the church, leaving encouragement and expectation in hearts and spirits

- Other random bits and bobs

Each one of these encounters brought tangible changes to the atmosphere in this town - a town others warned me was dead but I found it a great place to be and a really open community to having the  love of God poured out over them - even if they didn't quite know that that is what it was. Our team, together with members of the church congregation, were Love Guerillas in that place

Overall, we saw 3 or 4 people come into a living, saving relationship with God either in the streets or in the cafe - two of those came into church for the Sunday service; numerous people had a touch from God in their lives that was either obviously significant or just one of the steps on a journey towards knowing God's love for them

My own personal favourite meeting was with two elderly ladies as we set out on a Treasure Hunt (I will give an explanation of this at the end of the post in case any reader is interested) One of my clues, 'red shopping trolley', prompted me to run over the road to these lovely ladies - Jean, and Joan who was pulling the trolley. To cut a long story short, we had a lovely conversation, a couple of hugs each from myself and my hunting buddy and prayed God's blessing on them. To our delight, we bumped into them a little later as they had found their way to the cafe we had alerted them to, and spent another lovely half hour or so, hearing more of their stories and savouring with them a whole bunch of extra hugs. It was such a joyful encounter - for us as much as them.

Another Treasure Hunt with my buddies got us into a conversation with a mum, who was out with her daughter and two grandchildren. She had no money for food as her benefits had been unexpectedly stopped and she had had no luck finding a job in 174 applications. We prayed for her and suggested they go down to the church Cafe in this freezing weather for a cuppa and a cake (free until the shop gained some legally required certification). Later, not only did we see them still there but the mum had been given some supplies, allowed the pastor to pray for the little girl's eyes and a short while later, this mum prayed to ask Jesus into her life! WOW!

The church Cafe is an amazing opportunity - right outside the bus stops and a short walk to the main shopping street. Inside, not only will people get food and drink refreshment, but also refreshment of spirit and emotions. It will be staffed by church members whose heart is to love people in kindness and service - not just by serving but just talking, listening and encouraging folk who drop in.

The 'Free Hugs' times were WONDERFUL - just standing on the steps of the church with our signs, giving free hugs to all and any who passed and would brave us :D Here is a YouTube clip compiled by Ben Alldis from the church. Though it was a COLD day, we had the best time - the BEST! and you could just feeeeel the place change atmosphere...Keep it up ACF hahaha! As for me - I may just shove a 'Free Hug' sign in my bag and do it anyway - anywhere!!

SOOOoooooooo many conversations. SO many opportunities to show God's love in different ways! 

If I may, I will end with a wee story of an encounter I had, pinching the idea from Bill Johnson who told a similar story about his wife, Beni.

I had popped into the art shop just up the road from the church. I had a beautiful, green velvet handbag, very similar to this picture, that I had rescued. One of my daughters was 'throwing it out'! (I KNOW! I KNOW! What sacrilege!!) ...well, giving it away to a local charity shop. She wouldn't let me have it because I have enough bags!!  BUT I snook it out and have been using it. As I rooted through my bag looking for my specs, the assistant exclaimed, 'Oh! What a lovely bag!' and I thanked her and told her how I came by it. She was equally incredulous as I was! I wandered around the shop and into my mind came the Beni story (patience, readers!) I bought a couple of things and asked where the original lady was and found out her name. Then, before I went off to find her, I took out a carrier bag and emptied the contents of my beautiful green velvet bag into it. Finding my lady, I approached her and said, 'Excuse me. I would really love to give you this.' and offered her the bag. She protested that she couldn't possibly take it. I replied with a big smile that I would really love to bless her with it. 'God loves to bless us with surprises and I would really love you to have it - then when you use it, remember that God loves you and thinks you are wonderful.' She took it very gratefully and let me give her a big hug.

As I went off, smiling broadly and joy-filled to myself, I was amazed that I didn't have even the slightest flicker of regret over the bag. I don't miss it but know someone else loves it and hopefully through it, will be reminded of Someone who loves HER.

I did suggest to Hubs, when telling him the story, that I could go out and buy more beautiful bags that I could eventually give away. Strangely, that suggestion was not met with any enthusiasm at all!!

FINALLY...Ok Treasure Hunting....we go out in twos or threes. To start with, we have 5 categories: - Names; - Location; - Appearance; - Needs; - Other. We ask God to give us 'clues' in each category and personally, I put down whatever comes into my head, trusting that my spirit is always open to God. So I will put down a couple of male and female names, location can be an actual place/shop in the area we are in or a landmark eg clock - anything relating to location. Appearance - again anything..hair, clothes, accessories etc; Needs could be physical, financial, practical...eg new job, healing, family troubles, loneliness - just ANYTHING; and other might be anything that doesn't fit into the other categories...eg rainbow, dog, shopping trolley....then we go out and look for clues. I usually head for one of my locations and look for someone with something from my 'appearance' list then go to them, explain we are on a treasure hunt and have asked God for clues..they meet one of the clues and maybe show them the list to see if they fit anything else (though I did once go around occasionally shouting ' Joyce!' to see if anyone would turn   ) Whether they do or not, we tell them that they are God's treasure and He wants to bless them. We ask if there is anything we can pray for and if not, I say well, thanks for stopping but do know that you are a treasure to God and He loves you. 

Most people will stop; some run away as you are talking and say not interested; others are really touched and may even have a conversation but in any case, they go with that mention of God's love over them and we can then leave it to the Holy Spirit to carry on in whatever ways He wants to. Whilst 'no hits' can seem discouraging, we never know what God may have started in their journey and sometimes it is AMAZING how God leads. 

Mission: Supernatural

Whoop!! Whoop!! ....I think!!!!!

Tomorrow I am heading down south on a Mission Trip with NKCC European School of Supernatural Life. I can't tell you where - I may have to kill you....and hopefully this posting will NOT self destruct in five seconds!

To be honest, I don't know what I can say online about the trip - I didn't think to ask BUT I can be vague and general with a toe in the Water of Specific.

We have a team going down to a church where TeamWe will be doing various activities with members of the church community that we hope will impact the local community in many positive ways and inspire those we leave behind at the end to press on in seeing God thrill them. This quote from Kris Vallotton expresses some of my expectations well...

During our time leading the student ministry at church, our vicar, Nigel Di Castiglione, and his wife, Annie who co-led with us, always impressed on us that, as Christians,Children of the King, we carry God's presence and Christ's glory with us and change the atmospheres of all the places we go - a truth that has also been wonderfully reinforced by the leaders at School. Knowing this, believing this and always expecting this, makes the ordinary extraordinary. These inspirational friends, together with our brilliant student team, my fellow pupils at School and, of course, my lovely Hubs, have spurred me on during this journey of revelation, expectation and adventuring together in the things of God.

SO! Back to the Mission. Whist what we are doing isn't set in stone, included will be:

• Treasure Hunting - looking out for folk in the locality that God wants to bless with His love
• Prophetic Activities - these will be varied but may include art, objects and words all giving the recipient some expression  of God's blessing and encouragement to warm their hearts and spirits
• Helping out in the Cafe in the church and childrens'/youth groups on Sunday
• A wild card - at least one (I am saying that in faith because Vicki Schulz said something wild to me on Friday)

I am really excited and deciding not to stand with 'fearful'. What I know is that:

• God will use me. God will use me. God will use me. God will use me.
• He already knows who we will be meeting in all these different areas and activities 
• He loves every person we will come into contact with
• Whatever outcome we see, lives will be changed because we are there, because God is there
• He is even more excited than we are. If He already didn't sleep, He wouldn't sleep for glee.
• It doesn't matter if I look stupid because I will never see most of these people again and the ones I will see again, don't mind 

WELL!! TeamWe...not long now, Buddies 

"Do not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest.' Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest"

John 4:35

Trusting that the white will not be snow!!
Back soon.

Socks off!!

Make it so!

This has been a revealing and challenging week 

There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen

Hugh Prather

This quote summarises my feelings about life just now.

For our monthly book read-and-review at North Kent Community Church ESSL we had to read 'The Ultimate Treasure Hunt' by Kevin Dedmon. I been on 'Treasure Hunts before and have to admit to having been rather half-hearted about them. BUT having read the book and being clearer about all that God can do and my part in it, I have felt more confident and expectant going out into the community and seeking out God's treasures - people out there whose lives God wants to touch and bring blessing or healing to them. There is actually a video online that shows some people being healed by the prayers of His hunters. It may well sound like a strange activity to you but when you actually experience some peoples' reactions to the impact on their lives of hearing that God knows and loves them, it is amazing. Yes, there are some folk who look at you as if you are a bit of a weirdo, but as I always point out after - 'I am still alive - it didn't kill me!' Today, there are people out there who have heard, maybe for the first time, that God loves them. 

I was only the mouth and body. Holy Spirit does the rest

This week, I had on my list, 'French'. Nothing of a french nature crossed my path in any way. However, as I drove home up the M25/M40 on Friday night, I was passed by a 'Patisserie Valerie' van and remembered that there was that very stand at the upcoming services at Beaconsfield. SO I wondered...'Has God got someone there who needs His compassion?' After a brief mind-tussle with myself, I pulled in and headed to the cafe, ordering a coffee from the guy there whilst I mustered my courage. 

'Excuse me,' I ventured. 'I hope you don't mind me asking but are you alright?'

This immediately drew a very quizzical look. 'Yesssss,' he replied.

I explained the treasure hunt briefly; told him I thought he was God's treasure and wondered if there was anything I could pray for him?

There wasn't!!

I felt a somewhat thrown and a bit of an idiot. Having been so convinced that I should be there, how come I wasn't going to see him undergo some amazing life-transformation and tearful call out to God right before my very eyes? Hmmmm!

'Well, do you know,' I replied. 'I really don't think it was an accident that I came here today. I believe God wanted you to know that He loves you and that you are on His mind so don't be surprised if some little something happens from time to time to make you think about that.'

He raised his eyebrows at me and waited.

'OK, thanks then,' I smiled and went to sit down.

As soon as I could make a reasonably-timed departure without looking like I was making a dash from prison, I exited gracefully stage right. 

'Well what was THAT about, Lord?'

I don't THINK I heard Him laugh!

Then at the weekend, I heard hubs preach on the Wedding at Cana from John 2. It's a well-known story but do read it if you are not familiar with this event. It includes Jesus' instruction for servants to fill six stone water jars to the brim with water after the wine runs out at a wedding Jesus is attending.

As I listened to the familiar scripture read out, I heard, and didn't remember registering this ever before, that Jesus told the servants, 'Now, draw some WATER out [capitals mine] and take it to the master...'

Jesus told them to draw water - WATER!!! but when the master tasted it, it had turned to the finest wine - and not just a few bottles worth but, according to hubs, who loves maths and worked it out, several hundred bottles worth!!! 

I was struck by the fact that the servants had to carry out the seemingly ridiculous instructions to take water to the master but somewhere ON THE WAY, it was changed into wonderful wine and transformed the end of the wedding.

That is certainly a challenge to consider. 

Can I willingly carry out what God asks of me, even though it seems madness? Even though I may not know the outcome immediately - because let's not forget, there were probably a little group of servants sniggering in the kitchen, waiting for their co-worker to return. Knowing nothing about the new wine, they anticipate the Master's cries of outrage when he is presented with a cup of water and predict their chum returning with a kicked behind at least!!!  Can I? I know what I want the answer to be.

In considering it, I can only wonder what has happened to that young french server since we spoke. I may never know. But God knows and He had His purposes for that encounter.

My answer?

I surrender!

'For the righteous man falls seven times and rises again

Proverbs 24:16

Impossible

This week has been a busy old one, hence my late post but I am prompted today to get something out there!

I came across a quote (what a surprise) and it hit me as being very relevant to something God spoke to me about in School last week. It was during a worship time when the band played 'Oceans' 

First the quote - and I add my own picture here because it feels more personal, more of my very own heart, deliberately, wrapped round and held there by the hand of the God of the Impossible

Use me, God.

Show me how to take

who I am, 

who I want to be, 

and what I can do, 

and use it 

for a purpose

greater than myself

Martin Luther King

...and I promise

still to go for it

even if is seems

impossible!

Me

Second - the song. As I listened to the words, silently mouthing them myself, I heard the words afresh.

 'Spirit, Lead me where my trust is without borders; 

let me walk upon the waters 

wherever You would call me. 

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander 

and my faith will be made stronger 

by the presence of my Saviour.'

I suddenly realised that what I meant when I asked God to take me into the 'impossible' held the unspoken proviso of, 

'So long as I am comfortable doing it!'

I was taken aback! Especially since I had been speaking to Him about a situation possibly emerging in life that looked WAY unlikely - even impossible - so much so that I didn't know whether it was even worth the attempt! But here, now, I realised that if I wasn't uncomfortable, it wasn't likely to be impossible. Besides, if God takes us TO a situation, He certainly plans to take us THROUGH it.

Was I really willing to be in a place that felt like floundering in sea without sand immediately underneath my tippy toes, with currents flowing and waves crashing? Could I then trust that, despite things being apparently against a venture, I could experience a sense of water-walking and being stunned at where God could take me if I kept my eyes on Him and not on circumstances?

Looking at Urup Island, here, I am struck that, until we get up close and involved in a situation, things may look impossible. The island doesn't look the best or easiest place for a climb. At closer quarters, footholds, crannies or even a path may be available. But I'd have to be THERE to know properly. When faced with an 'adventure' that God lays before me, I would be stupid to say no. First, if He chooses me, He knows I am the one for the job. Second, if He is involved, I couldn't wish for better backup or safer hands. Do I take the risk? The end of the story is yet to come!

As Benjamin Franklin once said,

'When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on'

and if you've time for a smile....click here